RAIDERS NOTEBOOK / Fargas still waiting for his chance to be turned loose

David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published
4:00 am PDT, Friday, October 6, 2006

Running back Justin Fargas was supposed to be the change-of-pace car in this newly installed offense, and was promised as much in training camp.

One month into the season, he's still idling on the sideline more often than not, though his 48-yard dash Sunday against the Browns could force the Raiders to rethink his average of three carries per game.

"You always want to show what you can do," said Fargas, who becomes a free agent after this season. "It's a little frustrating, but I know that what's supposed to come my way will come my way."

Fargas has nine carries for 90 yards in three games, which isn't much, but consider: he had 14 rushes for 79 yards his first three years in Oakland.

When LaMont Jordan missed a series Sunday with a minor injury, Fargas came in and tore off the career-long 48-yard run, using his track speed to turn the right corner.

The play wasn't going to unseat Jordan at the top of the depth chart, but it showed how a speedy player like Fargas can come in and catch a defense heavy footed.

"LaMont's going to get the vast majority of the work," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "But, I want to be able to put Justin in there because he's a good change of pace guy."

Even less: Fullback Zack Crockett has no carries this season after getting 60 carries as the short-yardage specialist last season.

His absence was most noticeable Sunday when, on 4th-and-inches, he was on the sideline as Jordan got dropped for a 2-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

Crockett said he doesn't mind his new primary role as a blocking back.